“I should probably be going home,” I said.
“Of course,” he said. “Take my car. I am close enough to walk home.”
Outside, the black sedan I had arrived in came to stop just in front of me, and the driver opened the door.
“We could always go together,” I said to Zach before getting in the car.
He smiled back at me and stepped into the car. I settled myself into the plush leather seat next to him.
“So did you have any other reason for asking me out tonight?” I asked.
He stayed silent, so I prodded again.
“I don’t suppose that you were also unable to keep your eyes off me,” I joked.
“Well, you are a beautiful woman,” he said.
I laughed. Until now he’d been incredibly stoic and standoffish.
“So, you’re a little jealous of Adam,” I said.
“More than a little,” he replied.
I sighed.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I said.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I slept with your brother,” I started. “I don’t want to be another person to come between the two of you.”
He stopped himself from speaking and thought for a while. I stared out the window at the passing streets. It was a quiet night, with nary a single person about. It was getting late, and tomorrow was a work day— one that might be rather important for me, as I had a job offer I wanted to accept.
Zach took me by the arm and held me close, looking longingly into my eyes. I could feel the heat of his gaze boring into me.
“I’m not my brother,” he said.
“I never said you were,” I replied meekly.
He released me and returned to his seat, staring instead out the window with a grimace that had taken the place of his smile.
“I’ve been searching for something I can hold on to,” he said.
His vulnerability was palpable. I wanted to reach out and hold him, and in turn be held by him. Before I realized what I was doing, I had reached my arms out to him.
He turned as I wrapped myself around him. At first he tried to pull away, but he had nowhere to go. He let out a deep sigh, letting go of his apprehension and stress. Then his arms wrapped around me.
“Let me stay with you tonight,” I said.
Before long we were standing in an elevator, as we had a few days prior. This time, we were much less awkward. As the elevator climbed higher, we continued to hold each other.
It was an odd feeling that I was overcome by, the feeling of satisfaction. I didn’t want to kiss him, nor did he want to be kissed by me. But holding him felt so natural and easy that I didn’t want it to end.
The elevator opened right into his apartment. It was the penthouse of another building downtown. I looked out at the twinkling city lights that made up the view. I pulled myself away for a while to take in the sight.
When he returned, he had a bottle of wine in one hand and two glasses in the other. He handed me a glass and filled it and his own before setting the bottle back on the table.
“To new siblings,” he said.
I toasted my glass with his and took a sip. I wondered what was on his mind. He joined me, leaning over the balcony railing and staring out at the expanse of concrete that was our city.
“Millions of people going about their busy lives. It’s a breathtaking display of life,” he said.
I reached my arm around his waist and pulled him close. He put his arm around my shoulder, and his warmth was welcome. I finished the remainder of my wine and returned to his apartment.
I rested comfortably on the couch, and he joined me. I leaned against the armrest, and he rested his head in my lap. I sat there, stroking his hair for a time.
He fell asleep, and I didn’t mind. I could feel his satisfaction with each breath he took. Then, in the darkness, I found myself edging closer to sleep until I couldn’t fight it off any longer.
6.
A knock woke the two of us the next morning. Sunlight blinded me as I looked around the quiet apartment. Zach stretched himself out over the length of the couch before easing off me. My arm was still tingly with sleep, but I stood up to stretch myself.
“What is it, Adam?” Zach said, tiredly answering the door.
Adam stepped in and caught my attention. For a second he looked incredibly frustrated, clenching his fists and ready to throw a tantrum.
“I see she really did spend the night here,” Adam said.
“What of it?” Zach asked. “She’s a grown woman.”
“We have to get to work. Dad said he has some final paperwork to finish before going off for his honeymoon,” Adam said.
“I’ll be right there,” Zach said.
“Bring her too,” Adam added. “She has business with him as well.”
I knew I did, and I was looking forward to the possibility.
“So how did you get her to come over? Did you tell her about your poor ex-fiancée?” Adam teased.
“That’s none of your business,” Zach replied.
“Well did you tell her the real truth of it all?” Adam asked.
Zach sighed and didn’t have much to say.